red algee

[keener1830]

Ok so I still have the red slime algee problem after I transfred from the 10 gal to the 24 Aquapod. My wife told me that the problem is only getting worse siad she can't keep up with it. The more that she pulls out the more it grows. I am thinking of adding a second maxijet 1200 to the tank and plumbing it with jets that blow from the front. The PH in the tank is 8.0 and nitrates and nitrites are 0. The only other test I have is for ammonia and it is fine. I am gone from home as my ship is under way right now but if there is anything I can do please help me so I can let the wife know. I am not using RO/DI water so I am going to tell her to start buying store water tell we get a filtered system. THanks for the help
David

 

[Krish]

Yeah...If you're not using ro/di water you may just be fueling the algae to grow as there may be phosphates in the make up water amongst other things. Also, the fact that you aren't reading any traces of nitrates, but have algae in the tank means it is probably bound up in that algae so tell her to keep exporting it (removing it) while doing water changes, but really try to get some ro/di water as she could do all the water changes in the world and it won't help the situation if the water she is using contains excess nutrients which is food for the algae to grow. Hope you get things sorted out

 

[deezn7]

the power head isnt going to do much, that red slime si cyano bacteria. i use CHEMICLEAN' Red Slime Remover. works like a charm in 48 hrs. im sure there is other stuff you can do also though too but thats what i recommend.

 

[returnofsid]

I'm going to have to politely disagree with deezn7. Increasing flow has been a very proven method of combating Cyano Bacteria. Much better than adding chemicals to your reef tank. Increased flow and using RO/DI water will have remarkable results.

 

[Krish]

Chemicals are usually a last resort in most cases because they only give you a temporary fix and don't get to the root of the problem. If your tank has an excess of nutrients coming from a particular source and it is not addressed, then you'd have to continue dosing with chemicals forever. Just like the ro/di issue for eg. If your algae is a result of not using ro/di water and you continue using regular tap water and dose with chemiclean it may temporarily get rid of the algae, but eventually you'll be back to square one with an algae problem. Best to get to the root of the problem IMO, but you'll have to go with what works best for you

 

[keener1830]

Thanks all for the ideas I am going to try the ro idea, wife is going to just buy the water at the store in the gallon jugs till I get enough to buy a filter system this is what I am thinking of getting due to the fact the house is owned by the military and I am leaving next year.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4484&N=2004+113775

 

[Krish]

Good luck with the algae! I'm not at all familiar with that system so I'll let the others chime in. I still haven't bought my first ro/di system yet. I've always just bought it from the water company here

 

[custserv]

This is strictly a DIcart. Depending on your tap water, the cart. may last up to 300 gallons - at best. You would be better served buying distilled or ro/di from the lfs until you can get the $ for a full size unit. Spectrapure is an extremely reputable company that is always pushing the purification envelope. Here is their site: www.spectrapure.com. Take a look here or at your favorite online store. Look for a three+ cartridge system - micron, carbon, ro, and 2 di. Use the right tools to do the job right.

 

[Krish]

Welcome to RF "custserv"

 

[keener1830]

I wish we ran our R/O unit inport I would just take it straight off the unit but we have to be 3 miles off shore to do it and there is no point in running a system when we are hooked up to shore water. Thanks everyone for the help I am going to start using the non tap water for sure